According to Mabberley (2008), this family of tropical shrubs, lianes or epiphytes, herbs or small trees comprises 2750 species in 6 genera. More recent treatments (Stevens 2001-2013a) recognise 3615 species in 5 genera. The principal genera are Piper L. (about 2000 spp.) and Peperomia Ruiz & Pavón (about 1600 spp.).

The genus Peperomia Ruiz & Pavón was formerly classified in its own family, namely the Peperomiaceae (Willis 1973).

[Summary yet to be added]

Peperomia Ruiz & Pavón

About 1600 species have been described from tropical and subtropical regions, especially from America (Mabberley 2008).

Hjorth (1968) recorded two positive patch test reactions to species of this genus. In 21 consecutive cases, negative reactions were recorded. Strong irritancy therefore appears to be unlikely.

This species provides the crude drug known as Herba Matico. Externally, the leaves have been used for arresting hemorrhages from wounds, leech-bites, etc; the downy part of the leaf is said to be the most active part. They have also been applied to ulcers (Felter & Lloyd 1898). Preparations of the leaves, which are astringent, have been recommended for treating haemorrhoids (Remington et al. 1918, Wren 1975).

Piper bantamense Blume

This and some other Piper spp. are rubefacient and are used as counter-irritants (Burkill 1935).

Piper betle L.

Betel Pepper

The leaf is chewed with the betel nut (Areca).

Piper cubeba L.f.

(syn. Cubeba officinalis Raf.)

Java Pepper, Cubebs

The dried unripe fruit forms the condiment, cubebs. Oil of cubeb derived from the plant is used in cosmetics (Greenberg and Lester 1954).

Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn.

West African Black Pepper, Ashanti Pepper

The berries were brought from Liberia to Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries but they do not appear to have been accepted as a substitute for Piper nigrum L., a pepper which is more aromatic (Dalziel 1937). The dried black berries (Dalziel 1937) and the seeds (Irvine 1961) are used for counter-irritant purposes.

Piper methysticum G.Forst.

Kawa, Yangona

The powdered root of this plant, prepared so as to form a beverage, is drunk on festive occasions among the Polynesians and Fijians. Over-indulgence induces a state of exhilaration with loss of power in the legs. Chronic addiction induces a marked coarsening and roughening of the skin, with wasting and debility (Cilento 1944).

Piper nigrum L.

Pepper

To obtain black pepper, the berries are picked before they are fully ripe; they turn black and shrivel when dried. To obtain white pepper, the berries are allowed to ripen before harvesting and the outer shell is removed leaving a greyish-white kernel (Collins 1969).